page_title: Battle of Kendari
section_title: Collision between Nagara and Hatsuharu
hierarchical_section_title: Battle of Kendari / The battle / Collision between Nagara and Hatsuharu
caption_attribution_description: English: Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer Hatsuharu (Hatsuharu-class) on 1934, after modifications to improve stability. 日本語: 日本海軍初春型駆逐艦「初春」、復元性能改善工事後の姿
context_page_description: The Battle of Kendari took place on 24 January 1942 as part of the Japanese offensive in the Dutch East Indies. The airfield Kendari II became an essential target for Japanese forces for its strategic location and infrastructure quality. Encountering little to no resistance, Japanese troops managed to capture the airfield in one day, as the disorganized Dutch defenders were already in retreat inland.
context_section_description: On the morning of 25 January, destroyers of the 21st Destroyer Division (Hatsuharu, Hatsushimo, Nenohi, Wakaba) headed towards Kendari to reinforce the 1st Base Unit. Visibility was very limited due to the intense rain, resulting in the destroyer Hatsuharu to collide with 1st Base Force commander's flagship, Nagara while steaming at a high speed of 21 knots. As the result, Nagara's starboard side and upper structures was damaged, while Hatsuharu's bow up to the turret and fore gun was crushed.
  Because of the accident, Adm. Kubo had to transfer his command to the destroyer Hatsushimo, while Nagara sailed on its own to Davao for repairs. Escorted by Nenohi and Wakaba, Hatsuharu also sailed for Davao for repairs, leaving the reinforcement for 1st Base Force reduced considerably. The accident strained the operational capacity of the Eastern Attack Unit, who was facing a shortage of smaller vessels. Adm. Takagi subsequently delayed the 16th Destroyer Division's return to Bangka anchorage to prepare for the Ambon operation by one day.
caption: Japanese destroyer Hatsuharu
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